When someone sustains an injury in an accident, it can be a confusing and overwhelming experience. In addition to seeking medical attention, there are also legal steps that need to be taken immediately.
Knowing what to do after an accident can be crucial to protecting your legal rights and ensuring that you receive the compensation you deserve.
Assessing the Situation and Protecting Your Rights
Here are a few initial legal steps that accident victims should take:
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
The first priority of any accident victim should be to seek medical attention.
Even if the injuries are not visible, it is essential to get a thorough medical examination to identify any internal injuries or other medical issues that may not be immediately apparent.
Report the Accident to Authorities
Calling the police immediately is essential since they’ll create a report that includes essential information about the accident, including the time, location, and contact information of the involved parties.
The police report is a crucial piece of evidence that helps the accident victim in the legal process.
Gather and Document Evidence
Accident victims should take photographs of the accident scene, including the damage to the vehicles involved, any visible injuries, and the surrounding area.
Accident victims should also collect contact information from any witnesses and get a copy of the police report.
Any dash cam/GoPro/CCTV footage could prove pivotal in building evidence.
Exchange Information with Involved Parties
Accident victims should exchange contact and insurance information, such as:
- Name
- Address
- Phone number
- Insurance details
This information is crucial in case the accident victim needs to file a personal injury claim or contact the other driver’s insurance adjuster.
Navigating Legal and Insurance Procedures
Once the above steps have been taken relating to the incident, these steps will help to ensure your personal injury claim:
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
Contacting an experienced attorney — for example, a personal injury lawyer in Roswell — should be one of the first steps you take after an accident.
They’ll help you understand your legal rights and options, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in a lawsuit if necessary.
It is important to choose an attorney who has experience handling personal injury claims and who can provide you with the legal representation you need.
Understand the Claims Process
Understanding the claims process is essential to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.
You should gather all insurance information, including the insurance company’s name and policy number, and file a claim with your car insurance company.
If you were injured on someone else’s property, you should also notify the property owner or manager.
You may be required to provide a statement to the insurance adjuster, but it is important to be careful not to admit fault or make definitive statements about the accident.
Negotiate with Insurance Companies
Negotiating with insurance companies can be challenging, especially if you are not familiar with the claims process.
Insurance adjusters may try to offer you a low settlement or deny your claim altogether.
It is important to have legal representation to help you negotiate with insurance companies and ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.
Consider the Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations is the legal time limit for filing a personal injury claim. In Georgia, for example, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the accident.
It is important to file your claim before the statute of limitations expires. If you don’t, you may lose your right to compensation.
Final Thoughts
No single step above will solely protect your legal rights after sustaining an injury in an accident.
However, hiring a personal injury lawyer can ensure the burden is removed while you recover from your injuries.
In addition, ensuring you follow medical advice will help in getting the maximum compensation you’re entitled to.
